Husquvarna Ytm 22-42 starting problem

Only have a little over 50 hrs on this mower. Just changed the oil, new plugs, gas filter. Lately every time I go to start it, I end up having to spray starting fluid in the carb just to get it started. If I don't, I end up running the battery near down and can't figure out what is wrong. Once I spray the starting fluid in the carb, it fires right up and starts. Once it starts and runs a little, I don't have any problems starting it. For the record, I only start it once a week or so, depending on whether it is time to cut grass or not.

Any ideas?